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Homemade Best Spinach Artichoke Dip (Restaurant-Style) recipe photo

Best Spinach Artichoke Dip (Restaurant-Style)

A creamy, restaurant-style spinach and artichoke dip made with half & half and melted cheeses, served hot with tortilla chips.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoonsunsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cupshalf & half
  • 1 10-ouncebox frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
  • 1 14-ouncecan quartered artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed well, chopped, and blotted dry with paper towels (see note)
  • 1 1/2 cupsshredded sharp Cheddar
  • 1/2 cupgrated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 1/2 teaspoonsalt
  • 1/4 teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
  • Pinchnutmeg
  • Tortilla chips for serving

Instructions

Instructions

  • If you haven't already, thaw the frozen spinach, drain it well, and squeeze it dry; drain, rinse, chop, and blot the artichoke hearts dry with paper towels. Measure the half & half and cheeses so they are ready.
  • Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add the finely chopped small yellow onion and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Do not let the garlic brown.
  • Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to cook the flour.
  • Slowly pour in 1 3/4 cups half & half while stirring or whisking to combine and prevent lumps. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth.
  • Add the drained, squeezed spinach and the chopped, blotted artichoke hearts to the saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is hot and begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to low. Stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar, 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir constantly until the cheeses are fully melted and the dip is smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and serve immediately with tortilla chips.

Equipment

  • Medium Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Paper Towels
  • Serving Bowl

Notes

Canned artichokes are packed in water with salt and citric acid, so they need to be rinsed very well, drained, and then blotted dry with a paper towel before using. If you add them directly to the dip without first rinsing them, they will give the dip an off flavor.
Make-Ahead Instructions:The dip can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and refrigerated in a covered container. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a bit more half & half to thin the dip, if necessary.